05 April, 2011

VO Wing nuts, actually. A few years ago we had a small stock of new-old-stock wing nuts that sold out very quickly. We still get e-mails asking if we can get more; we can't. So when we heard that a small factory in Taiwan was considering making wing nuts again we encouraged them by immediately placing an order.

They are finally here and look really cool on our new track hub prototypes. They are forged from stainless steel, then CNC finished and polished. And check out the alloy keyed washers.

But the factory neglected to chase the threads so they don't spin on as smoothly as they should. Our staff has been opening the packages and chasing the threads by hand, but we can't do them all, too time consuming, and will send most back. We are only selling the ones that have been chased.

It really bugs me when this sort of thing happens. I suppose it's inevitable since VO introduces more new products than most companies five times our size. And new products inevitably have problems (just ask Apple). Still, it's not like we rushed these to market; the prototypes were absolutely 100% perfect. Nuts!

UPDATE: The factory has rethreaded all the wing nuts we sent back and air-freighted them back to us. We have wing nuts again and they work as they should.

There have been a lot of new items popping up! Also I noticed a lot of restocking. Will there be a post detailing all of the restock? I was surprised when I realized Porteur bars were back in road size and wasn't sure it was true!

Instead of sending them back, what about knocking the price down, with a caveat to buyers that they'll need to chase the threads? Or, maybe I can buy them up cheap and put Mrs Dibbly to work chasing threads, then dump them on eBay. :)

Seriously, though, perhaps there is an agency in your area that gets work for the disabled who might want the work. Or a halfway house type of program. Or hire a high school kid on a "per widget" basis. Just tossing out ideas, trying to make lemonade for somebody...

Whatever happens, hopefully there will be another batch at some time in the future.

Heck, I own a set of metric taps and dies solely for bike related threading needs. I'd buy a set of unchased if you'd knock a couple bucks off. Of course I'd need a set of 4 rears as the bike in question has 15mm nuts all around. For the record ('cause I know some wiseguy will question my knowledge of a bike that's in my garage) it's a rather old Jamis Explorer

I was looking at these thinking how great they look, but also thinking "what on earth would I do with those" Then it struck me; one of the things I absolutely hate about my Nexus rear hubs is their not having a quick release!! removing the wheel in the field always means having a cool tool or some other "Wrench" to be able to get my wheel off Hmmmm? I am wondering if these will fit a Nexus hub? I guess they should!? If so I will order a dozen or so cause I have 5 or 6 bikes w/ Nexus hubs!! And I can chase them myself!! COOL!

This is the first time that I part company with Velo Orange on just how retro is TOO retro.

I'm not sure what it is about the wing nuts that jars, but they are less easy to use than a QR and offer less protection than a locking skewer and the aesthetics are overdone - a bit like putting a chromed steering wheel on a classic car.

I think these are awesome, but like most current cyclists/mechanics my experience with wingnuts is pretty limited, so I have to wonder where the limit is in terms of rider strength where they stop being a good idea, for both geared and SS/fixed bikes.

These wing nuts lack an artistic appeal. Maybe for a BMX bike, but I wouldn't put them on an older bicycle. I fail to see the logic for using these. Quick release hubs have been proven to work well, look good, and provide a certain measure of security.

I have a solid rear axle on my single speed. To those who say they would have limited usefulness, I would point out, that in my usual absent-minded way, I usually have my tool kit, but rarely have the wrench necessary to remove those nuts. Wing nuts would be a big help if I ever get a flat. Luckily, I run slime tubes, and the single speed is my around-town bike, so I never have found myself needing to remove the rear wheel while out and about.